Monday, August 26, 2024

Happy Homemaker Monday


Hello and happy new week to you! 💗
What's going on in your area of the world? Did you have a nice weekend?

We ran errands and went to church and out for brunch. 
We were also busy over the weekend doing extra chores and tidying outside because we hosted a little gathering for my Dad's birthday, and also to celebrate my Uncle (my Dad's brother). He's a recently retired priest who had served his calling for 50 years (his 50th jubilee). They had a big gathering of relatives for him in Green Bay that Matt & I weren't able to attend. So I told my Uncle I wanted to have him over later in the summer to celebrate him.  My brother and SIL came too. It was so nice. Matt grilled. I made lots of dishes. I also made an old fashioned apple cake with salted caramel frosting & pecans (half without nuts). It was delish! 

We sat outside on the deck, played some ladder ball, and visited the afternoon away. In the evening we lit the fire and sat around that and visited some more. Solving all the world's problems and all of that, of course. Lol 

I'm so grateful for  - and LOVE - my people so much! 

Now on to the week ahead....









 






THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:



























ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

sugar free iced coffee with a little protein creamer (fasted until lunch) 



















ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

fittings/hemming for the guy's wedding clothes, some other wedding details/projects, errands/groceries for upcoming holiday weekend, helping my Mom & step Dad with a project at their apartment, hospice work


















THINKING ABOUT:  

how fast August is flying - and that I can't believe we're in the final week of it 🙈




















AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

It's been cloudy and muggy today, sun only kind of coming out now. I have music going softly. Occasionally I hear Matt talking downstairs in his office for work, as I'm not down in my office but instead at the dining room table today. I still see balloons and the happy birthday sign up from yesterday. 😊




















CURRENTLY READING

I've been sidetracked by fun Fall magazines right now! 





















ON THE TV TODAY:

 Bachelorette, HGTV shows, Big Brother, AGT, Catching up on some taped stuff and then Matt & I will start the Walking Dead (update: we did watch the first 2 episodes over the weekend and I'm hooked! 🙈)
























ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:




    MONDAY -  leftovers from the party yesterday: brats, homemade apple dijon coleslaw recipe I tried (really good!), a deli pasta salad from the store, corn on the cob, baked beans, watermelon, and apple cake & ice cream 



TUESDAY - tacos



WEDNESDAY - might make stir fry?




THURSDAY - clean out the fridge




FRIDAY -  out for dinner?
















  



TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

read, pontoon time, play pickleball :) 


















TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:



we have an easy propane fire pit - but for a "real" campfire I thought this was a fun tip





Loving some of the recipes I'm finding on social media for lesser calorie fun pumpkin drinks to order 🎃




























FROM THE CAMERA:


Of course my Girl has been on brain a bunch and she sent me pics of her adorable dorm room as she's all settled now. She started school today! Matt & I go visit her in the near future and I can't wait to see it all in person. 💗







Some of late summer around the northwoods. Yes, I may have a few new Fall decorations that I just left on display after I got them. Don't judge. Lol 












Some of the yummy eats at the gathering yesterday included this old fashioned apple cake I baked up and frosted with easy salted caramel frosting. Only pecans on half for the sake of the "no nuts" peeps.


Also, this delish pitcher of sangria I made. Perfect late summer strawberry yumminess.


And I also made this coleslaw recipe as a side dish and it turned out so yummy! The coleslaw had apples, dried cranberry, sliced almonds, & celery all in a dijon kind of dressing. Very Fall-like. I'll share all of these recipes soon!










And had to share a pic of sweet Ruby after her haircut last week. 💛












PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. For His Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere and help the world find its way. For my sweet Annie and her new path in college. For my Aaron moving to his new home a few hours away in a few weeks. I pray that both of my kiddos new beginnings are all they dream them to be. For a friend going through a difficult time right now 🙏🏻💕





















PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:


Soaking up every bit of this late summer goodness. I hope you are too! I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

10 comments:

  1. Dear Carrie, what a special celebration you had for your family. Happy Birthday to your Dad, and congratulations to your Uncle on his 50th anniversary. To have a priest in your family is rare and wonderful these days. My Mum had a cousin who was a priest, and we were in awe of him :). Your white pumpkin decor is fabulous, as well as elegant! As always, the food looks beautiful, and I look forward to the recipes. Thank you for your message - I replied to you but we are having trouble with that email and it might not have come through. I have tried to put my new email on my blog but can't seem to work out how to do it. Must get a son to try for me. Lovely blog post, Happy Homemaker. xoxox

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    1. Thanks so much Trish! It was a wonderful visit with family. And I sent an email back to you. Thinking of you and so nice to connect with you again. Sending prayers and love always. xo

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  2. What a wonderful weekend! Your gathering for your uncle and for your Dad sounds so nice. Your food looks good and I know the no nut people like me, appreciated you doing half and half.
    Annies room looks great and I'm glad she's settling in.

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    1. Thanks Mari! It was so nice to celebrate my loved ones. It does my Momma heart good to see Annie settled. She's already making friends and loving her independence. So bittersweet and so proud of her. xo

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  3. Beautiful pictures, as always! I love seeing Annie's dorm room and I am so glad she is settling in. I hope she LOVES it! Are you doing ok? I know it will take some time getting used to that. But, it looks like you are staying busy in a great way! I love those birthday balloons! I've never seen any so colorful! It looks like your weather is going to be amazing this weekend! We had a cool down last week and it made me soooo happy! It felt wonderful out, but it's back to the heat this week! Ughhh! Ruby's haircut is precious!

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    1. Thanks Mandy! It has been a bit of grief process seeing my nest become truly empty. So proud of her - but I am sad. However, it helps so much to have Matt and our own new chapter. I found the bday balloons at Walgreens and they have little lights in them so they glow at night! Looking forward to the cool down and the "ber" months here too. xo

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  4. I so enjoyed visiting with you today. The photos gave me a window into much. And still feeling for you as you get use to the changes of Annie being away yet excited about the changes for her. We moms are like that! Blessings!

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    1. Thanks so much Cathy! So happy to have you visit. Yes, so bittersweet to watch my little girl be such a young woman now. Adopting a new normal will just take a little time. Blessings. xo

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  5. We are going through some awful HOT weather right now and the mosquito's are just crazy so we aren't doing much outdoor activities right now. Sounds like you had another great weekend of celebrating. I thought you might have celebrated your sons birthday too.
    Nice that Annie is all settled in, bet they will both do great in their new adventures.
    I am thinking my fall items will start coming out in September :)

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  6. I like Annie's dorm room... makes me remember when dd was at University. Wow 50years as a priest - glad you got to celebrate with the family. I love the white pumkin pillow... thinking of decoarting for Fall next weekende... will have some grandkids to help out haha. Can't wait to hear more about the wedding

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